by Ernest W. Lefever

About the author: Ernest W. Lefever is founder of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of The CIA and the American Ethic.

Since [the terrorist attacks of] September 11, 2001, Americans have grown more aware of the Central Intelligence Agency’s singular contribution to our war against terrorism. In Afghanistan, the CIA has provided vital strategic and tactical information for U.S. and allied troops in their efforts to destroy the elusive and entrenched Taliban and al-Qaida fighters. These fanatical terrorists insist that the deadly assaults on the World Trade Center [in New York City] and the Pentagon [in Washington, D.C.] are just punishment for “the Great Satan.”

Over the years, most Americans have quietly accepted the need for foreign- intelligence activities by our government, including spying and...